You've probably seen the signs along New Hampshire’s coast. A road that floods more often than it used to. A marsh creeping inland. A king tide that leaves water where no one expected it.

A new report highlights the latest science around flooding in New Hampshire.

On this episode of Time and Tide, you’ll hear from the experts behind this science report, as they explain key findings concerning rainfall, groundwater, coastal storms, and sea level rise.

The future may look wetter, but it’s not all doom and gloom on the horizon. As you’ll hear, better science can help us adapt together.

We divided this episode into four parts:

Part 1: When it rains, it pours. Dr. Mary Stampone explains how our winters and springs are becoming wetter.

Part 2: The unseen changes happening under our feet. Learn how warmer weather and intruding saltwater are changing the groundwater we drink, with Dr. Jayne Knott.

Part 3: Storms of the future. What are the three types of coastal storms that produce flooding in New Hampshire, and how can science help us adapt to them? Kirk Bosma shares his hope that knowledge can help us make better decisions today that could keep us dry in the future.

Part 4: In too deep. The tides are slowly becoming higher, but Anna Simpson believes that we can shape a better future through good science.

After this crash course with the experts on how our water cycle is changing, you can read the full report and explore what the science says specific to where you live in New Hampshire.

Full episode transcript is available below.

Guest Speakers:

Lisa Wise, Science Report Coordinator, NH Sea Grant and UNH Extension

Dr. Mary Stampone, Associate Professor of Geography, University of New Hampshire and New Hampshire State Climatologist

Dr. Jayne Knott, Principal, HydroPredictions

Kirk Bosma, Vice President and Coastal Engineer, Woods Hole Group and Engineering Director, Stone Living Lab

Anna Simpson, Coastal Resilience Manager, NERACOOS

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary: https://www.des.nh.gov/water/coastal-waters/coastal-flood-risk

NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup: https://www.nhcaw.org/

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Lobster buoys and traps are a common sight along New Hampshire’s rocky coastline, but did you know it’s illegal for the public to touch them? They’re a form of marine debris that wash in after strong coastal storms, and once each year the fishing industry gathers for a state-wide beach cleanup to remove them.

In this episode of Time and Tide, we’re exploring the issue of derelict fishing gear on New Hampshire’s coastline. Also referred to as lost or abandoned fishing gear, these buoys, traps, and ropes can become navigational hazards in the ocean and pose risks to wildlife. Join us as we learn why no fisherman wants to lose a lobster trap at sea, what steps this industry is taking to be stewards of granite state waters, and why everyone should participate in a local beach cleanup.

In Act 1, join us at the harbor with Damon Frampton, a local lobster fisherman and participant in this year’s annual lobster trap cleanup, who describes why it’s important to him as a fisher to help clean the beach.

In Act 2, our very own Gabby Bradt helps us to take a step back and understand the broader issue of marine debris on New Hampshire’s coastline, and how lost or abandoned fishing gear fits into this puzzle.

In our final Act, Renee Zobel from NH Fish and Game explains why it’s illegal for any member of the public to touch a lobster trap. And how fishermen are working to address some of the challenges we saw during this coastal cleanup.

Full episode transcript is available below.

Guest Speakers:

Damon Frampton, Commercial Lobster Fisherman and President of the New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association

Gabriela Bradt, Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension

Renee Zobel, Chief of Marine Fisheries, New Hampshire Fish and Game

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

New Hampshire Lobster Trap Cleanup: https://nhfishgame.com/2026/03/23/nh-coastal-lobster-trap-cleanup-scheduled-for-saturday-april-18/

Blue Ocean Society 2025 Beach Cleanup Data: https://www.blueoceansociety.org/cleanup-data/

Blue Ocean Society Beach Cleanup Calendar: https://www.blueoceansociety.org/calendar/

Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter: https://nh.surfrider.org/

New Hampshire Fish and Game Marine Laws and Rules: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/saltwater-fisheries-new-hampshire/marine-laws-and-rules

Contact New Hampshire Fish and Game: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/contact-new-hampshire-fish-and-game

Derelict Fishing Gear – NOAA's Marine Debris Program: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/what-marine-debris/derelict-fishing-gear

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Spring is in the air. As the days get longer and plants emerge from thawed soil, big landscaping decisions loom ahead. What plants should you add or remove from your yard this year? Are there any big landscaping projects that you’re feeling brave enough to tackle? But for every landscaping decision you make, there is one thing you should consider: clean water.

In this episode of Time and Tide, we’re following the journey of a water droplet to learn how landscaping decisions that you make on your property can affect the health of local water bodies. In this story, that water can either sink slowly into the ground as nature intended or attain a need for speed as it flows across hard, man-made surfaces, picking up contaminants along the way.

Today, we're helping you make Spring landscaping decisions with clean water in mind. We’ll focus on a recent training hosted for landscaping professionals, called Landscaping for Water Quality, and the lessons learned about designing landscapes that are attractive, ecologically functional, and healthy for local water bodies.

In Act 1, we speak with Amy Papineau from UNH Cooperative Extension who explains why blueberry plants are a delicious and sustainable addition to your backyard. We’ll dig into the science behind soil in the Granite State, which is more complex than you’d think, and leave you with the base of plant knowledge to impress any horticulturist.

In Act 2, Julia Peterson from NH Sea Grant digs into why it can be so tough to find science-backed answers in a world of information overload. Cut through the nonsense with us and find the reliable answers you’re looking for, through a little thing called ‘extension’.

Finally, we hear from local landscapers who participated in this year’s Landscaping for Water Quality training. Is there a market for more sustainable landscaping practices, and is it possible to have a beautiful yard that also helps wildlife?

Full episode transcript is available below.

Guest Speakers:

Amy Papineau, Extension Field Specialist in Landscape and Greenhouse Horticulture, UNH Cooperative Extension Food & Agriculture Program

Julia Peterson, Extension Program Leader, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Daisy Chinburg, Designer, Site Structures Landscape

Patrick Shannon, Miracle Farms Landscaping

Timothy Sicard, Town of Hampton Falls, NH

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

New Hampshire Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management: https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/homeowner-guide-stormwater.pdf

Directory of Landscape Professionals Trained in Ecological Landscaping for Water Quality Protection: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/directory-landscape-professionals-trained-ecological-landscaping-water-quality-protection

Landscaping for Water Quality 2026: https://extension.unh.edu/event/2026/03/landscaping-water-quality

Green Grass and Clear Water: https://seagrant.unh.edu/our-work/water-quality/water-quality-lawn-care-outreach-materials

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement